How Not to be a Bystander in Your Child’s Immersion Education.

“I haven’t taken French since high school.”

“No one in my family speaks French.”

“How am I supposed to help my child with homework?”

“I don’t understand French.”

             “How will I know how my child is doing?”

If these statements and questions reflect your thoughts, take comfort in the fact that you are among a majority of parents who harbour the same concerns.  The information in this section may help answer some questions and ease your concerns.

Before continuing, it is important to note the following.  Perhaps the greatest indicator of a student’s educational success (or lack thereof), regardless of the program, is the involvement of the parent(s).  The interest, support, encouragement, attitude and behaviour modeled by the parent(s) at home, influence how their child sees him/herself as a student and as a learner.  This fact is even more important for parents of French immersion students because of the added demands of the program.

The following list outlines some recommendations of how immersion parents can contribute to their child’s learning:

v     Attend the meeting for parents of in-coming immersion students for both early and late French immersion programs.  Such meetings are usually held at the school and provide a wonderful opportunity to voice concerns.  If unable to attend, be sure to ask for any brochures or handouts that may have been distributed.

v     Develop an open line of communication with your child’s teacher(s).  Get to know the teacher.

v     Develop an open line of communication with your child.  Take time to ask about his/her day, what homework has been assigned and what assignments are due.  Ask to read your child’s homework agenda and call the school homework hotline (if available).

NOTE:  Over the course of the year, your immersion student may lead you to believe she/he has no homework. It is a rare evening your child will have no homework in any of her/his subjects.

v     Establish a time and a place in the house where your child is to complete assigned homework.  An area free of distractions is preferable where you can monitor your child’s progress.

v     Encourage your child to review his/her homework with you – what themes/concepts she/he is learning in the various subjects.  Your child should, without great difficulty, be able to summarize the concepts presented in class and in the homework.  This is a good review for your child and it enables you, as parents, to monitor his/her progress.      

v     Permit your child to call a classmate if she/he encounters difficulty while completing the homework.  Another benefit of the immersion program is the network of support immersion students develop during their time in the program.  This cohort-effect enables students to link with others, share their concerns, ideas, talents as well as the inevitable frustrations. It starts them on the path toward becoming independent learners.

v     Learn from your child.  Communicate with other parents of immersion students.  It can be a great source of comfort and support.  You may even discover a “seasoned” immersion parent who can provide a better understanding of the ‘big picture’ of the program.

v     Volunteer to chaperone field trips and/or provide support in the classroom.  Parents are a great resource.  Often they have connections and knowledge of programs or people that would add another dimension to the in-classroom teaching.

v     Be open-minded, positive, patient and supportive.